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Rudder Lock

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Troy Maynor

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 162

Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 7:58 pm Post subject: Rudder Lock

Hi All, 

 I desire to build a control lock for the rudder.  Searching the archive I found the good idea of the pvc pipe assembly that goes  onto the pedals and back to the stick or seat edge maybe, however I am looking  at trailering my Europa a lot, at first anyway. It would seem this design would  allow wind to whip the linkages and cables too much. Is there a nice one that  can be clamped around the rudder itself and not mar the paint but hold it secure  at highway speeds traveling backward? (It is a monowheel)   Pictures  would speak volumes. 

 Thanks in advance again...

 Troy Maynor.......almost  done......

   [quote][b]

rparigor(at)suffolk.lib.n
Guest

Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 12:51 am Post subject: Rudder Lock

Hi Troy"I desire to build a control lock for the rudder. Pictures would speak volumes."I can do one pic: http://www.europaowners.org/modules.php?set_albumName=album223&id=Ruderr_2&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.phpOnly had it in front of hangar though getting blasted backwards from a 250hp Comanche, not backwards screaming down highway.Ron Parigoris   [quote][b]

frans(at)paardnatuurlijk.
Guest

Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 1:45 am Post subject: Rudder Lock

Troy Maynor wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   Hi All, I desire to build a control lock for the rudder. Searching

 the archive I found the good idea of the pvc pipe assembly that goes

 onto the pedals and back to the stick or seat edge maybe, however I

 am looking at trailering my Europa a lot, at first anyway. It would

 seem this design would allow wind to whip the linkages and cables too

 much.


	


You are right indeed. I have some experience with (backwards) trailering

the Europa and forces when a truck passes from the opposite direction

are enormous. When I was trailering the Europa to the upholstery

companty I had a temporary lock that came off at the moment  that a

truck passed and the rudder whacked back so I could feel it in the car.

Damage: the rudder tried to pivot over the rudder stop tab, and this

induces a tearing force on the hinge. I could see that the hinge area of

the rudder was stressed, small vertical cracks and a whitish appearance.

I later reinforced this with a couple of UNI layers perpendicular on the

cracks. This incident happened by the way with a speed of 80 Km (about

50 mph). I guess this is a speed very easily achieved by a tail slide,

so this incident is for me proof that a Europa will not be able to

handle even a small tail slide.



Anyway, my solution was to make a device just like shown by Ron

Parigoris in another post, except that mine is in a V-shape, and the

open end of the V is connected via a bolt that goes through the trim

slot. It is therefore quite low on the rudder, where I think most of the

forces and potential for damage is. And it doesn't try to twist the

whole rudder and fin assembly together. The legs of the V extent all the

way over the tailplane "stubs", so they have quite some leverage and the

forces spread over a large area that is already reinforced for the

tailplane.

The legs are made of metal tubing, with insulation around it.



The design works: the painter who did my airplane is 200 Km away from

here, had to get there when the wind was about 40 knots. On the way back

there was not much wind. But the airplane survived both travels without

any problems.



If my description is not clear, I will make pictures.



Frans

hurstkr(at)redzone.com.au
Guest

Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 2:40 am Post subject: Rudder Lock

> I desire to build a  control lock for the rudder

  

 Troy,

  

 Since the aircraft will be travelling  backwards, if I were you, I would build  a device on the trailer itself that restrains rudder movement.  That way,  you will not be relying on another part of the aircraft to take the  strain.  Ideally, I think I would also build an enclosure for the rudder  and at least part of the tailplane to enter to protect it from winds while  travelling.

  

 Just my 2c worth.

  

 Kingsley in Oz

   [quote][b]

frans(at)paardnatuurlijk.
Guest

Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 5:06 am Post subject: Rudder Lock

Kingsley Hurst wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   Since the aircraft will be travelling backwards, if I were you, I

 would build a device on the trailer itself that restrains rudder

 movement.


	


I would caution *against* that!

The airplane will move a lot during travel, it sits on its own

suspension and rubber tires which allow quite some twisting and sideways

movement, and the tail of the airplane consequently moves as well. If

you restrict the movement at that point, you will use the tail as a

lever to restrict movement of the airplane, not good in my opinion, as

it is not designed to take such loads.

One option would be to restrict the airplane on multiple places (I tried

that), but then I discovered that the trailer, being of metal, will bend

and twist by itself. If you secure the airplane like that, you will use

the airplane to make the trailer more rigid, not a good idea either.

Apart from the problem that there are very few places on the airplane

suitable for securing the airplane like that anyway.



My solution to these problems: I put a winch on the trailer with a nylon

band, and use that to tow the airplane onto the trailer. I leave it

connected during the travel. At the same tail position, I connect two

straps to it, connected via two metal springs to the trailer. This will

form a triangle, restricting movement of the tail in all directions, but

due to the springs trailer movements won't jerk on the airplane. The

trailer is thus allowed to move a little bit under the airplane. A

second benefit of this is that the airplane can use its own tires and

springs to deal with bumps in the road, in addition to the suspension of

the trailer. This will be better for your gyro's, if you have them.



Frans

hagargs(at)earthlink.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 6:45 am Post subject: Rudder Lock

See attached photos 

PVC. some all thread, rubber tubing, and a bolt.

Tested out, effective, no hassles

Steve Hagar

Mesa AZ  A143 

 	  Quote: 	
		   [Original Message]

 From: Frans Veldman <frans(at)paardnatuurlijk.nl>

 To: <europa-list(at)matronics.com>

 Date: 11/1/2009 6:08:05 AM

 Subject: Re: Rudder Lock

<frans(at)paardnatuurlijk.nl>

 	  Quote: 	

 Kingsley Hurst wrote:

 > Since the aircraft will be travelling backwards, if I were you, I

 > would build a device on the trailer itself that restrains rudder

 > movement.

 I would caution *against* that!

 The airplane will move a lot during travel, it sits on its own

 suspension and rubber tires which allow quite some twisting and sideways

 movement, and the tail of the airplane consequently moves as well. If

 you restrict the movement at that point, you will use the tail as a

 lever to restrict movement of the airplane, not good in my opinion, as

 it is not designed to take such loads.

 One option would be to restrict the airplane on multiple places (I tried

 that), but then I discovered that the trailer, being of metal, will bend

 and twist by itself. If you secure the airplane like that, you will use

 the airplane to make the trailer more rigid, not a good idea either.

 Apart from the problem that there are very few places on the airplane

 suitable for securing the airplane like that anyway.

 My solution to these problems: I put a winch on the trailer with a nylon

 band, and use that to tow the airplane onto the trailer. I leave it

 connected during the travel. At the same tail position, I connect two

 straps to it, connected via two metal springs to the trailer. This will

 form a triangle, restricting movement of the tail in all directions, but

 due to the springs trailer movements won't jerk on the airplane. The

 trailer is thus allowed to move a little bit under the airplane. A

 second benefit of this is that the airplane can use its own tires and

 springs to deal with bumps in the road, in addition to the suspension of

 the trailer. This will be better for your gyro's, if you have them.

 Frans

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jeff(at)rmmm.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 9:44 am Post subject: Rudder Lock

Frans,

I did something like Steve did. I will eventually refine it to ride 

lower but I don't tow mine. The foam sleeves protect the paint.



Jeff R.

A258 - N128LJ / Gold Rush



 	  Quote: 	
		  



> [Original Message]

> From: Frans Veldman <frans(at)paardnatuurlijk.nl>

> To: <europa-list(at)matronics.com>

> Date: 11/1/2009 6:08:05 AM

> Subject: Re: Rudder Lock

>

> 

 <frans(at)paardnatuurlijk.nl>

>

> Kingsley Hurst wrote:

>

>> Since the aircraft will be travelling backwards, if I were you, I

>> would build a device on the trailer itself that restrains rudder

>> movement.

>

> I would caution *against* that!

> The airplane will move a lot during travel, it sits on its own

> suspension and rubber tires which allow quite some twisting and 

> sideways

> movement, and the tail of the airplane consequently moves as well. If

> you restrict the movement at that point, you will use the tail as a

> lever to restrict movement of the airplane, not good in my opinion, as

> it is not designed to take such loads.

> One option would be to restrict the airplane on multiple places (I 

> tried

> that), but then I discovered that the trailer, being of metal, will 

> bend

> and twist by itself. If you secure the airplane like that, you will 

> use

> the airplane to make the trailer more rigid, not a good idea either.

> Apart from the problem that there are very few places on the airplane

> suitable for securing the airplane like that anyway.

>

> My solution to these problems: I put a winch on the trailer with a 

> nylon

> band, and use that to tow the airplane onto the trailer. I leave it

> connected during the travel. At the same tail position, I connect two

> straps to it, connected via two metal springs to the trailer. This 

> will

> form a triangle, restricting movement of the tail in all directions, 

> but

> due to the springs trailer movements won't jerk on the airplane. The

> trailer is thus allowed to move a little bit under the airplane. A

> second benefit of this is that the airplane can use its own tires and

> springs to deal with bumps in the road, in addition to the suspension 

> of

> the trailer. This will be better for your gyro's, if you have them.

>

> Frans

>



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ptag.dev(at)tiscali.co.uk
Guest

Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 10:16 am Post subject: Rudder Lock

Hi! 

I must just comment.....you can't beat a covered trailer with the trike

wheels winched against fixed chocks and a central ramp for the nose wheel

with screw bottle jacks holding the spring originally intended for the tail

wheel of the Mono held down into the central channel spine of the trailer

..it isn't going anywhere, and all parts of the aircraft are supported

where intended. (Works for Mono as well)

When parked on an airfield I use two lengths of water pipe insulation

material made into a loop with cable ties round each end to envelope the

rudder and fin.

Regards

Bob Harrison G-PTAG 



--

frans(at)paardnatuurlijk.
Guest

Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 10:49 am Post subject: Rudder Lock

Robert C Harrison wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 Hi! 

 I must just comment.....you can't beat a covered trailer with the trike

 wheels winched against fixed chocks and a central ramp for the nose wheel

 with screw bottle jacks holding the spring originally intended for the tail

 wheel of the Mono held down into the central channel spine of the trailer

 ...it isn't going anywhere, and all parts of the aircraft are supported

 where intended. (Works for Mono as well)


	


Did you convert the Europa "factory" trailer for that, or is it a

completely new creation? If it is a Europa trailer "mod", I'm very

interested in the details. Although weight limitations for unregistered

trailers will probably prevent me from making a covered trailer... 

You wouldn't believe it, but here in the Netherlands it is much easier

to register your aircraft than to register a trailer.



Frans

frans(at)paardnatuurlijk.
Guest

Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 10:49 am Post subject: Rudder Lock

JEFF ROBERTS wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   Frans,

 I did something like Steve did. I will eventually refine it to ride

 lower but I don't tow mine. The foam sleeves protect the paint.


	


Nice to see that everyone comes up with an almost similar solution. Mine

is not much different, except that it rides lower, and because the fin

ends there, I have to insert a bolt through the trim slot to keep both

halves of the lock connected.



If I did not intent to trailer my Europa, I would probably have made

something that can be just hang over the rudder and fin, like most

others do.



Frans

ptag.dev(at)tiscali.co.uk
Guest

Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 12:42 pm Post subject: Rudder Lock

Hi! Frans

It was a completely independent steel creation and certainly weighs in XS of

any UK regulations but it is a special purpose trailor so circumvents some

of the pit falls. In actual fact it wasn't so much designed as evolved,

since to get the balance right for towing the twin axles were moved

rearwards three times and the wheels and tyres were up graded each time.

However I towed it to MT Propellers for harmonics tests in Bavaria behind my

Volvo Estate saloon.

It is fitted with two very large rear box doors which when closed

sufficiently balances the drawbar so that with the front axle mounted on

three inch ramps(with the aircraft inside) the draw bar can be lifted up by

one hand to about 4 ft high for easier discharge of the 'plane.

It is lined inside with spray on foam insulation which keeps it cool in high

summer.

The purpose being that it is a permanent safe hanger for parking on my

drive.

Regards

Bob Harrison.



--

topglock(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:12 am Post subject: Rudder Lock

I also used the PVC lock, but found it to be inadequate for towing. 

What I did do was to hollow out a piece of 3/4" plywood, to accommodate 

the shape of the tailplane and line the opening with carpet (foam would 

work, also).  This has proven to be very ridged and does a nice job of 

holding the rudder firmly...



Jeff - Baby Blue



Frans Veldman wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 JEFF ROBERTS wrote:

> Frans,

> I did something like Steve did. I will eventually refine it to ride

> lower but I don't tow mine. The foam sleeves protect the paint.

 

 Nice to see that everyone comes up with an almost similar solution. Mine

 is not much different, except that it rides lower, and because the fin

 ends there, I have to insert a bolt through the trim slot to keep both

 halves of the lock connected.

 

 If I did not intent to trailer my Europa, I would probably have made

 something that can be just hang over the rudder and fin, like most

 others do.

 

 Frans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

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